The town of Manokwari in West Papua is in uproar (On Wedenesday, December 5). It is reported that crowds have run amok and have been carrying out acts of arson.

A (WPM edit: source believe to be police officer) source for tabloidjubi.com in Manokwari states the riot was triggered as the result of the shooting by police officers of a DPO (Detainee on the political Daftar Pencarian Orang or Wanted persons list)) by the initials TA, who escaped from Prison. on Tuesday.

(West Papua Media has confirmed with independent sources in Manokwari that the dead political detainee was named Timotius Napirem Ap – a relative of executed West Papuan songman and nationalist Arnold Ap).

“So last night (Tuesday 4/12) police members chased a DPO prisoner of the initials TA. (police) Members fired warning shots, however the person in question (the escapee) resisted because he carried a homemade weapon, ” reported the source of Tabloidjubi.com, Wednesday 5/12/12.

According to the source, because the prisoner’s resistance endangered the police, they were forced to shoot him. “However I don’t know precisely where he was shot. But after he was shot he was able to run to the Manokwari District General Hospital (RSUD)” he explained.

However he continued, it appears that because of loss of blood, the prisoner’s life could not be saved. “Even though he was taken to the RSUD, his life could not be saved. This was what triggered the anger of a number of the people. They then lit fires at various points in the town of Manokwari, including the Prison Guard Post perhaps which is in the centre of Manokwari was burned . Up to this moment the situation in Manokwari remains tense,” explained the (police) source to Tabloidjubi.com.

Another Tabloidjubi.com source in Manokwari mentioned that the prisoner had been shot in the feet, neck and back, by the police officers. The prisoner died and was taken secretly by security offers to the morgue in Wirsi last night, 4/12 around 12.00 pm WIT. (West Indonesian time).

“The prisoner was shot in the coastal area of Maripi by the police, without committing any crime. The police chased this person because he escaped using a motor cycle. But because of the chase the police and intelligence cordoned off and encircled Timotius Ap, which resulted in the prisoner being shot” said the Tabloidjubi.com source via his mobile phone.

Meanwhile the Public Relations Officer for the Police District of Papua AKBP I Gede Sumerta Jaya, said that his office was still waiting for information from Manokwari. “I have not yet received field data. I too am still waiting for data. Shortly, if there is accurate data then I can provide information.” I Gede briefly responded. (Jubi/Arjuna)